You might be seeing a lot of mini Aussies when walking in the streets... The mini Aussies are one of the most popular dogs in the US. They are known to be "Velcro" dogs. They are hyper-intelligent, athletic and very loyal dogs. Mini Aussies are smaller than the Aussies, they are between 14 and 18 inches, and around 20 to 40 pounds. Their mottled coats (with various colors: blue-gray, red, black, white...) are what makes them quite recognizable! Plus their different eye colors. There is no real difference between a mini Aussie and a mini American shepherd. It's the same dog!
But the American Kennel Club consider the mini Aussies to be smaller than the mini American. More and more people adopt mini Aussies, because they adapt better to a city lifestyle compared to the bigger Aussies. Even if they have an incredible personality, mini Aussies are high maintenance dogs that need mental stimulation, a lot of physical exercise and always need to be close to their owner!